Suddenly, a calm and warmth voice reached Aiko. "Aiko-sama. About today's dish, is it not up to your taste?"
"Eh?"
It was Foss Selo, the owner of "Water Fairy Inn." His voice was far from loud, it was actually said in a rather small voice. However, there was no one inside the inn who missed Foss's words. His calm and deep voice would reach anyone without fail. Even now, Aiko whose mind was caught in whirpool of thought easily heard his words, and it made her senses return to reality.
When she noticed she had cried out in a rather strange and loud voice, Aiko's cheeks flushed slightly as she turned towards the smiling Foss.
"U-Umm, what was it? I'm sorry, I was daydreaming for a moment."
"No, no, don't worry about it. I just thought the dish was not to your taste because you didn't raise your face. If so, I thought of sending out another dish..."
"N-No need! The food is really delicious. I was just thinking about something..."
Although Aiko said the food was very delicious, she herself couldn't remember what it tasted like. When she looked at her surroundings, her students and the Knights were looking at her with a somewhat anxious expression. She noticed what was on their minds, and she thought she mustn't continue the way she has been acting as she pulled herself together and continued on with her meal. However, she coughed in a panic when food entered her lungs.
Because Aiko was coughing with teary eyes, the students and the Knights were panicked. Seeing the situation, Foss casually prepared napkin and water.
"I-I am sorry. To trouble yo-..."
"It is not a trouble at all."
Although Foss saw Aiko's blunder, he kept a calm smile which made Aiko feel grateful and relieved. Seeing Aiko's current state, Foss narrowed his eyes and thought of something. He spoke with a small and still calm voice.
"Umm. Aiko-sama. Though it might be presumptuous, may I ask one thing?"
"Eh? Ah, yes. What is it?"
"Why can't Aiko-sama believe what you want to believe?"
"Heh?"
Unable to understand Foss's words, Aiko tilted her head as a question mark floated above her head. Because of that, Foss continued with a wry smile, "Looks like those words were too lacking."
"Apparently, Aiko-sama's mind is currently in serious confusion. There are too many things you want to think about, there are also things you don't want to think of, and you don't know what should you do. What's best is to do what you want, even if you're not sure of what you want yet. There are many things you don't understand, which only increases your impatience, and become the impetus towards the vicious circle of confusion. Am I wrong?"
"H-How..."
Because he had correctly guessed what she was thinking of, Aiko instantly became speechless. Seeing her reaction, Foss calmly explained with a smile, "I've seen a lot of guests, after all."
"During such times, it's better to just 'believe in what you want to believe in' for now. But then again, people will overlook things if they only want to believe what they want, those words also came with such warning. That saying is correct. However, in my opinion, people only act in what they believe in. That's why, I feel that during times when one 'can't move on,' it isn't a bad thing to 'believe in what you want to believe in'."